Medical reporters have uncovered four important developments in the meningitis outbreak: First, Two more drugs coming from the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, Massachusetts, are found to be tainted with deadly contamination.

Second, emails reveal that NECC shipped drugs to pharmacists without prescriptions, which is against state and federal laws. Third, as of last Sunday, seven more people are diagnosed with fungal meningitis linked to tainted steroid medication for a total of 214. Fourth, these meningitis cases are now to 15 states.

MyHealthNewsDaily Staff writes for LiveScience.com, “. . . one case of suspected meningitis has been linked to a drug called triamcinolone acetone, another type of steroid injection. . . [and] two patients undergoing organ transplants developed fungal infections after surgeries that used a NECC drug. . . . called cardioplegic solution . . . administered to paralyze the heart during surgery.” Most of the cases discovered previously involve “methylprednisolone acetate from NECC, a steroid injection used as treatment for back pain.”

Toni Clarke and Aaron Pressman of Reuters reveal that NECC “solicited bulk orders from physicians and failed to require proof of individual patient prescriptions as required under state regulations.” A clinic confirmed that NECC supplied drugs without obtaining patient names or physician directions.

Clarke and Pressman found that NECC has referred business to one its sister companies, Ameridose LLC, although officials had denied it. Both companies are owned by Gregory Conigliaro, an engineer, and Barry Cadden, his brother-in-law. Cadden a pharmacist, had been in charge of NECC’s pharmacy operations.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Sunday that seven more patients are now diagnosed with fungal meningitis. The new cases are in New Hampshire, Florida, Indiana and Tennessee. The hardest hit state is Tennessee with 53 cases and six deaths, while Michigan is second with 41 cases and three deaths. Virginia has 34 cases and one death.

The total number of deaths is at 15. It is estimated that NECC shipped some 14,000 vials to 76 medical facilities in 23 states. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) asks all outlets to get word to the public about potential risks for infections using any of these, or other drugs from NECC’s compounding company.

Some states have suspended NECC’s operating license. The Michigan State Attorney General has opened an investigation. He says that, if found guilty of violating his state’s public health code, NECC officials could be imprisoned.

How could federal agencies in charge of this nation’s drug supply have allowed this to happen? The greatest nation on earth should not have its medical care determined by profit-making. Christian messages claim the U.S. is a Christian nation. Thus, most of its citizens believe in Jesus Christ, of Whom it is said: “He. . . healed all that were sick (Matthew 8: 16).”